Patrício “Pitbull” Freire on Michael Chandler-Conor McGregor: ‘If It’s The UFC Chandler, He’s Getting Knocked Out’
Patrício “Pitbull” Freire believes that the Michael Chandler-Conor McGregor bout will take place this year.
And he thinks it will play out in one of two ways.
“It all depends on which Michael Chandler fights that night,” said Freire, speaking through a translator. “If it’s the Michael Chandler from Bellator, he’s going to wrestle Conor. If it’s the UFC Chandler, he’ll put on a show–but if it’s the UFC Chandler, he’s getting knocked out.”
Freire defeated Chandler in 2019 at Bellator 221, winning the bout via first-round TKO. Five years later, he remains an integral part of the Bellator fabric, successfully defending his featherweight title this past week with a TKO win against Jeremy Kennedy at Bellator 302.
Freire (36-7) put an end to his two-fight losing streak, and he desperately needed the win. He lost last March to Sergio Pettis in a bantamweight title bout, then suffered the first knockout of his storied career in July when Chihiro Suzuki caught him on a short-notice bout in Japan.
Last summer, after the knockout, Freire underwent surgery for herniated discs–which he believes factored into both losses.
“I needed surgery, and if it didn’t go right, I could have been a paraplegic,” said Freire. “I’m healthy now, everything is back on track.”
Freire was initially slated to return last month at the PFL vs. Bellator champions card, but his opponent–2023 PFL featherweight winner Jesus Pinedo–pulled out a week before the event with a back injury. Pineda was replaced with Gabriel Alves Braga, who also didn’t make it to fight night, as he was deemed unable to compete during weigh-ins.
Now 36 years old, Freire took one giant step toward avoiding the over-35 curse that has doomed other featherweight fighters, most recently Alexander Volkanovski.
After starring in a playful video that mocked the idea he was too old, Volkanovski was knocked out by Ilia Topuria–the third loss in his past four fights.
“I saw the video Volkanovski made and thought it was very funny,” said Freire. “I agree with him, age isn’t a factor. He recently had a war with the lightweight champion [Islam Makhachev], then took the rematch on short notice and got knocked out. That can happen when you’re not fully prepared. Then he got caught by Ilia Topuria, who is very dangerous. But who’s to say Volkanovski won’t get his belt back? Don’t diminish him because of his age. I also plan to keep fighting at the highest level.”
Now that Freire was successful against Kennedy, he will have a hungry slate of opponents–led by Aaron Pico–ready to challenge for the belt.
“There is a lot I want to do,” said Freire. “Then I can defend my title against Aaron Pico. I want to show everyone I’m the true king of all this sh--.”
JUSTIN BARRASSO